Here's Chapter 1 - Part 3 !
STORYAlex Starfade was feeling queezy. However much he tried to make himself believe he was on the ground, the titillations of the aircraft made his stomach churn.
“I need a drink,” he thought out loud. “And a bite to eat… didn’t get a chance to eat before our fight down below.”
“I hope you’re not talking to me,” came a high-pitched voice from his hip. He looked down and saw the bearded Mary Cow.
“Oh,” he said, “I hadn’t noticed you, Mary.”
“Call me Moo, everybody does. Anyway, I’m off to the small hangar, there’s probably some good stuff to find.”
“You do that,” replied Alex Starfade, too concentrated on not being sick to pay attention.
Reaching the central hub, he looked around for somewhere to whet his appetite. His eye was attracted to a small entrance which was filled with scantily-clad women throwing beguiling stares at him. Their allure was more than tempting but his stomach overcame his desires.
“Something strong,” he called, as he made his way into the bar. “And something crispy.”
The barman passed him a vial of red liquid. Alex knew better than to ask what was inside and drank it straight. A sickening taste of bile filled his throat and he gagged. He turned to the barman, ready to give him a piece of his mind but was surprised to see him smile.
“Just give it a second,” the blond man said.
Alex gave him a dubious look but suddenly felt alleviated. His airsickness had vanished and he felt more comfortable than he had in a long while.
The barman chuckled, “I know the look of a man who’s not fond of flying and what he needs. Now you won’t feel bad when your food doesn’t come back up after a few minutes.”
“Thanks… I guess,” said Alex Starfade, surprised by this man’s quick thinking.
Before he could say another word, Arjahn Mjakhim appeared on the stool next to him. Before Alex could again say another word, Mjakhim turned his masked face towards him and muttered, “Something is wrong. Don’t say anything to anyone else, from what I’ve seen, you’re the only one I can trust. Zaliphone has lied to us; we’re not going to the capital, we’re headed East. I planted a miniature recorder on him before he could leave to meet his so-called friend but,” he stuttered. “Why yes Alex, I also wonder if they serve taco’s here.”
“Wha…” started Alex Starfade. Zaliphone had also entered the bar and sat down on his other side. Alex Starfade wanted to ask what this was all about but Arjahn Mjakhim’s tone had frightened him. How could something like this happen so soon?
“Don’t mind me,” said Zaliphone cheerily, “just getting a quick drink before heading out to see my friend. He’ll give us more information on what’s going on.”
Arjahn Mjakhim nodded silently and turned to his drink. Zaliphone took his bottle and walked back out of the bar.
Alex Starfade turned to Arjahn, questions burning to be asked but the latter waved a hand and simply said “Not now. we will know more when I can listen to what that recorder picks up. For now, let’s just play along. Now where is that Mary Cow? She might be in on this.”
In fact, Mary Cow was currently in the small hangar, standing still.
“Unfortunately, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do in here. All I know is that I wanted to come into this room.” She stroked her beard ponderously and waited for a new idea to come to her.
Zaliphone had arrived at the meeting place. His contact wasn’t there and this worried him. It wasn’t like Georg to miss a meeting. Suddenly, he heard a noise behind him. George walked into the room and shut the door behind him. Pulling a gun he shouted for Zaliphone to sit down.
“What’s…” started Zaliphone.
“NO!” shouted Georg, “You lied to me! You said you’d be alone! There are three others with you. Now I’ve already received offers of a lot of money in exchange for your head, and after what you’ve just done, I’m seriously tempted.”
Alex Starfade goes to the bar. Arjahn Mjakhim catches up with him and tells him of Zaliphone’s lies and that he’s put a tracker on him. Mary Cow goes to the hangar but then has no idea what to do. Zaliphone goes to the meeting place but is beset by his contact, Georg, who says he was not supposed to bring people with him. He wonders if he should just kill Zaliphone, as was requested by a person or people unknown
